This weekend brought about an exciting thing - books!
I left most of my books at my parents' house when I moved back to the city and it's been a slow process bringing them back with me after visits to the country. I now have 3/4 of them in my new study, which is now, finally, looking like a study. Awesome!
Books make a space so much warmer and personal, I think. You can tell a lot about a person from the books they read. And from how they organize them! Ha!
I love organizing books! I love finding the most efficient way to put them on shelves. And, most of all, I love organizing my history books chronologically. Each book - and the memories associated with it - is re-discovered when a book is re-shelved. It's a fun, nostalgic, engrossing process for me.
And yes, I'm now on to the fourth book in Martin's series, A Feast for Crows. The title does not bring about good images. We'll see!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Storm of Swords
I've finished the third book - Storm of Swords - in the Song of Fire and Ice series. I don't want to say too much about it for those of you who are reading the series or plan on watching the HBO series. However, I will say that it's good and definitely better than the second book.
Storm of Swords was over 1000 pages long and I read it in a week. I'm thinking I'll take the weekend off from reading, though it will be hard. I want to know what's going to happen! But Martin still has two more books to write....so we won't know what's going on for many more years. I better get used to this feeling.
The series is completely engrossing and addicting. If you need a way to escape the summer heat, just turn to these books. "Winter is coming," after all.
Storm of Swords was over 1000 pages long and I read it in a week. I'm thinking I'll take the weekend off from reading, though it will be hard. I want to know what's going to happen! But Martin still has two more books to write....so we won't know what's going on for many more years. I better get used to this feeling.
The series is completely engrossing and addicting. If you need a way to escape the summer heat, just turn to these books. "Winter is coming," after all.
Monday, July 18, 2011
A Rant About the Theater
I went to see Harry Potter on Saturday with Mr. Higgins and a friend. There have been few interesting movies of late, so I've not seen much.
So it's always a shock when I go see a movie and observe how little respect and common courtesy are observed by my fellow citizens.
-A man sat down right next to me, though half the theater was empty.
-The same man answered his cell phone when the previews were ending and the movie was beginning - and talked a few minutes into the move!
-The kids behind us narrated the film for us.
-The same kids kicked my chair and then looked accusingly at me when I turned around.
-The same kids made disgusting noises every time they took a swig from their drinks.
-The man beside me checked his phone in the middle of the movie, effectively turning on a flashlight in a darkened theater.
And, as Mr. Higgins always says, what disturbances did we cause? None. To no one. We're always respectful and courteous of other people....both of which are rarely, if ever, returned.
So it's always a shock when I go see a movie and observe how little respect and common courtesy are observed by my fellow citizens.
-A man sat down right next to me, though half the theater was empty.
-The same man answered his cell phone when the previews were ending and the movie was beginning - and talked a few minutes into the move!
-The kids behind us narrated the film for us.
-The same kids kicked my chair and then looked accusingly at me when I turned around.
-The same kids made disgusting noises every time they took a swig from their drinks.
-The man beside me checked his phone in the middle of the movie, effectively turning on a flashlight in a darkened theater.
And, as Mr. Higgins always says, what disturbances did we cause? None. To no one. We're always respectful and courteous of other people....both of which are rarely, if ever, returned.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Salad Recipe
Mr. Higgins and I had some friends over for dinner and a movie the other night. We all pitched in to cook a fabulous meal together.
One new recipe that I thought was wonderful was the Corn, Edamame, and Black Bean Salad. Very tasty! I'm already thinking this would be perfect for a work pot-luck dish, for which I'm always stumped. Give it a try and you won't be disappointed!
One new recipe that I thought was wonderful was the Corn, Edamame, and Black Bean Salad. Very tasty! I'm already thinking this would be perfect for a work pot-luck dish, for which I'm always stumped. Give it a try and you won't be disappointed!
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Clash of Kings
I've been neck deep in Clash of Kings, George R. R. Martin's second book in The Song of Fire and Ice series. The books are so dense and long that it takes a while to get through them. That being said, I've read non-stop and finished this book in a week.
Clash of Kings was much darker than the first book. Mr. Higgins and I joked several times, "something good has to happen at some point, right?" But, as I try to remember, it's a long series and fiction is based on conflict, trials, and tribulations.
I'm taking the day off before I start Storm of Swords. A breather is always good.
Tonight, we're having friends over to watch HARRY POTTER, in anticipation of the new movie. As I've said before, Harry Potter annoys me. But at least the story is original, which can't be said for the Twilight series. And the HP movies are entertaining.
Clash of Kings was much darker than the first book. Mr. Higgins and I joked several times, "something good has to happen at some point, right?" But, as I try to remember, it's a long series and fiction is based on conflict, trials, and tribulations.
I'm taking the day off before I start Storm of Swords. A breather is always good.
Tonight, we're having friends over to watch HARRY POTTER, in anticipation of the new movie. As I've said before, Harry Potter annoys me. But at least the story is original, which can't be said for the Twilight series. And the HP movies are entertaining.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Update
Sorry for my absence last week. I've been lacking in motivation lately.
Clash of Kings is taking up every free minute of my days. It's that good! And since the highs are at or above one hundred degrees everyday, I've not wanted to do much outside.
Indeed, there is something extremely depressing about such an oppressive heat. One day last week, while driving home on the highway, I saw the beginnings of a grass fire on the side of the road. The flames were literally licking the concrete of the road. Smoke billowed across all lanes of traffic. It was pretty scary. And to think it was probably all because of a cigarette, tossed out of a car. Have I mentioned how much I despise smokers?
It's only the beginning of July and all the grass is brown. I'm hoping for some tropical systems to move up from the gulf - nothing devastating, just something to give us some much-needed rain. We're pretty desperate here.
Clash of Kings is taking up every free minute of my days. It's that good! And since the highs are at or above one hundred degrees everyday, I've not wanted to do much outside.
Indeed, there is something extremely depressing about such an oppressive heat. One day last week, while driving home on the highway, I saw the beginnings of a grass fire on the side of the road. The flames were literally licking the concrete of the road. Smoke billowed across all lanes of traffic. It was pretty scary. And to think it was probably all because of a cigarette, tossed out of a car. Have I mentioned how much I despise smokers?
It's only the beginning of July and all the grass is brown. I'm hoping for some tropical systems to move up from the gulf - nothing devastating, just something to give us some much-needed rain. We're pretty desperate here.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Thrones
Game of Thrones, the book, was great! There are subtle differences from the thrilling TV show, but if you love the show you'll adore the book.
As always, books give you more information. When reading about another world in another time with strange creatures and even stranger men, more information is good! But I'm surprised and greatly relieved by how much the show follows the book. It's rare to see that these days, especially on HBO (True Blood is an abomination).
I love some of these characters but Arya is perhaps my favorite. She's got more will and courage than most men. Tyrion is a constant amusement to me. It's good to have seen the show first; otherwise, there are so many characters that none of them would have stayed straight in my head. So, contrary to my usual preferences, I'd suggest watching the show first.
I'm on to the second book, A Clash of Kings.
As always, books give you more information. When reading about another world in another time with strange creatures and even stranger men, more information is good! But I'm surprised and greatly relieved by how much the show follows the book. It's rare to see that these days, especially on HBO (True Blood is an abomination).
I love some of these characters but Arya is perhaps my favorite. She's got more will and courage than most men. Tyrion is a constant amusement to me. It's good to have seen the show first; otherwise, there are so many characters that none of them would have stayed straight in my head. So, contrary to my usual preferences, I'd suggest watching the show first.
I'm on to the second book, A Clash of Kings.
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